I'm so grateful!

I love the gospel. No matter what happens in life I know that I can feel peace, comfort, and love through the gospel of Jesus Christ. A few months ago a friend introduced me to this blog: The Nie Nie Dialogues. I was really touched as I read about this beautiful woman who along with her husband were in a plane accident which changed their lives. Even though this tragic thing happened to them, they seemed to have an amazing perspective on things--an eternal perspective. She may not look the same or feel the same as before the accident, but she knows this is only temporary and that there's things to be learned. I am always appreciative of people like this and only hope that if I were in the same situation I would be the same. This video recently came out on Mormon Messages about this inspiring story.

 
A few weeks ago my mom's side of the family came to California and we were able to do temple work together and unite the whole family together. It was a very spiritual experience. I was just overwhelmed with joy knowing that families really are eternal. I absolutely love my family and am so happy to know that we are an eternal family. I am grateful that I have the knowledge of the gospel to help carry me through hard times. I've been thinking a lot about my mission lately. My goal was to not lose sight of what I learned while there. To not lose sight of what's important. I can just imagine meeting all my family who have passed on someday. My grandparents, my nephew David, my past ancestors. Knowing that I will have this opportunity makes me want to live my life in a way where I can be worthy to see them again.
 
Like my mission president always said, "This is a gospel of joy--so smile!" One thing that the gospel also helps me do is to see everybody as children of God. It's really hard sometimes to see people as God sees them. Especially when people are rude, mean to you, or maybe a little weird...or a lot weird. However, it never fails me to just have a prayer in my heart that I can feel just a tiny bit of what Heavenly Father sees in them. I always feel God's eternal love for them, which in turn helps me to see them differently. My mom and dad are great examples of this. They have always taught through word and example this principle. They're the best! =)
 
p.s. this is why i love my mom so much! haha =)
 

I love my niece and nephew

Last Tuesday I took Megan and Jonny out for a day of fun! First we went to Club Sport and went swimming. It was a real hot day so it was nice.

Then, we went to In and Out--they're first time I believe. They loved it. Jonny was definitely saying "mmmmmmmmm" the whole time he was eating. heehee =) We then headed to Dublin to see Toy Story 3 in 3D...we were all very excited! We had some time before the movie and got Cold Stone before...we also had time for crazy pictures. ;-)

Toy Story 3 was pretty funny...3 quarters through the movie Jonny came over to me to get some candy and I noticed he didn't have his 3D glasses on nor did he put them back on when he sat down. When I asked if he is using them he simply replied "well, I put them on sometimes, and then take them off sometimes." Duh, Christy. haha...he's a crack up. Then I hassled them to use the bathroom before we left and Jonny claimed he didn't have to go. He was chatting away all the way to the car, got buckled in, I turn the car on and he screams "Wait! I still have to pee!!!" I was like why didn't you go when we went?! "Because we were in the wrong one!" Duh, Christy! haha...I made him go in the women's bathroom and wait for Megan and I--who knows what weirdos are outside the bathroom?! So we ran out to the nearest restroom and then headed back to Tracy where Kristal ordered delicious pizza for us. Yum yum. It was a way fun day!

tri #2

I haven't written in awhile so thought I should! I've been on a break from school for a little over a week now. I wanted to go away somewhere on a trip, but due to lack of planning have stayed local. It's been nice to just see friends again and actually sleep. I've been sleeping a lot actually. I think my body went in crash mode after the stresses of school, work, and tri training ended. I was actually supposed to do a smaller tri yesterday but decided having fun the night before would be better. ;-) I've also been super exhausted and sore so I figured it would probably be best to rest up. Which turned out to be a good idea because last night something weird happened to my neck/back. Don't know if it's a tight muscle or what but we'll see soon when I go to the doctors!

Anywho, I did my olympic distance tri 2 weeks ago with the TEAM Club Sport. It was fun. It was suuuuuper hot though! 92 degrees when we left! It was definitely the hardest thing that I've ever done! I used to think that I wanted to eventually train for a 1/2 iron man and then a full iron man, but after this, I'm starting to think maybe this was enough =) It was about a mile swim, 25  mile bike ride, and a 10K run. I was so exhausted! I also had come down with a cold that Thursday and was trying to get over that. I probably drank more water in those 3 days before the race than I ever have! Anyway, here's some pictures!

triathlons, am i crazy?! think so.

Last weekend I participated in my first triathalon! It was really fun! A few months back I won the registration for this race at the tri training meeting. I was super nervous because it was my first one and I was doing it alone. I almost backed out last minute. My mom and dad were out of town at my dad's high school reunion, but Jimmy (best little brother I could ask for!) came with me to support me. You see, Jimmy usually arises at around noonish (I think). The tri started at 7am. We have to be there 1 1/2 hours early-5:30 am. It was in Morgan Hill, an hour drive away-4:30 am. ahhhhh so early! I woke up at 4am, got ready, woke Jimmy up at 4:25 and me, him, and Butters headed out!

Butters

Me

Jimmy

Butters and I at the transition area before the race

Getting ready to go in! It was freeeezing!

I had to pee the whole race because the trio coaches said to pee in the water. Of course I had to pee right before the race. The line to the porta potties (however you spell that) was super long. So, I decided to try and go in the lake water like everyone else. Well, it's harder than it seems! I got in about 10 minutes early to warm up and to my dismay, couldn't go! I was so frustrated! haha, I was nervous and cold--not a good combo I guess! I knew this would be the only chance to go unless I wanted to waste time during one of my transitions, which I ended up not wanting to do.

Here's me emerging from the water! Once I got warmed up it was a really great swim--3/4 miles! I was pleasantly suprised to get out of the water and have 3 people from Club Sport cheering me on along with Jimmy and Butters.

Running from the transition area to the bike part!

Trying to hook my feet into the pedals...

....still trying...

...got it!

Coming back from the bike ride...16 miles later and on to the run portion!

It felt really weird to run. I still had to pee so all I could think about was finish this as soon as you can, then you get to pee! haha...I finished the 5 miles in 35 minutes! I was suprised when I looked down at my GPS watch at one point and saw I was going a 6:13 pace! I was booking it!

So here's me back at the transition area with my medal! Jimmy and Butters were preoccupied with something else when I came into the finish line! ;-) I searched for him (after running straight to the bathroom) for 15 minutes then found him at the finish line waiting for me. Oh Jimmy! Good thing I'm doing another triathalon in a few weeks!

Jimmy, Butters and I walked around...ate free samples, burritos, pasta, fruit, bagels, beer...uh I mean, water! ;-) Who wants to drink beer right after a workout like that?! Weird. I guess I don't understand b/c I don't drink.

Anyway, I was pleasantly suprised to see the results. The posted the top 25 in your age and gender category. I was number 7 in mine finishing in 1:57:10.6. I finished 45th overall (women).

You can see all the result here:

Race Results

I'm really excited for the next triathlon! It's an olympic distance so it's a bit longer. Now I know what I can do better next time...like uses the bathroom first! haha =)

vegas baby!

I was able to go to Vegas with Ale, Candice, and Carli! We stayed at a super nice new hotel called Aria! It smelled like coconut and vanilla (not the usual cigarette smoke that's in Vegas hotels). It was right on the strip. We were really excited as you can see. =)

This is all our stuff being carted from the car! haha...about half of those bags are shoes.

We had time to walk around, see the sights...

...but the most fun was DANCING! =)

We made money at the night club in our hotel! Dollar bills just came down from the ceiling! I made 19 dollars! woohoo! Then we had a visit from Iyaaz! Don't you know who he is??! Nobody does. I didn't until this night. ;-) But it was awesome and his songs became the them music for our trip. He touched me and Candice's hands.

Pretending to be celebrities

Drinking virgin drinks! ;-)

After all the walking around and dancing we valued the bathtub to soak our feet and also relaxing at the pool! It was amazing!

I had such a fun weekend and didn't want it to end! I was pooped the next day for school but my friend commented on how I looked refreshed. It was a well deserved and much needed vacation. I can't wait for the next one!